Deadly rabbit virus stokes worry among Metro Vancouver rescue societies

A highly contagious and deadly virus that's killing feral rabbits on Vancouver Island has raised fears that the disease may spread to the Lower Mainland.

It's not yet known how the virus reached Vancouver Island, but it spreads quickly,said Ian Welch, director of veterinarian services and research support at the University of British Columbia.

"It's not inconceivable that it could come on to a ferry and then come across and get on to the [Lower] Mainland,"Welch said.

• Province warns rabbit owners about deadly virus on Vancouver Island

The virus has a short incubation period of one to two days,Welch said, and can run through an entire population of rabbits in as little as 13 days.

It can also easily spread on surfaces like shoes and car tires, he said.

A vaccine exists, butWelch said it takes weeks to kick in, so it wouldn'thelp with an initial outbreak.

Rabbit societies

Rabbit rescue societies in MetroVancouver are already taking precautions.

Sorelle Saidman, founder of the rabbit rescue societyRabbitats, said she would like to move 50 of the rabbits in her care indoors and is looking for warehouse space.

She said if the virus hits the lower mainland, she would also installa mesh fence around the rabbit enclosure.

Saidmanhas been trackingthe virus for the past several years and its effects on rabbit populations in Europe and Australia.

"It could probably wipe out the entire population of feral rabbits in Richmond," she said.

"It's brutal. This is an incredibly nasty, nasty virus."

Olga Betts, president of Vancouver Rabbit Rescue, said she's cautious but optimistic.

The virus can be killed with a diluted bleach solution, she said, so people can easily wash their shoes with bleachbefore visiting her property.

She said people shouldavoid transporting their pet rabbits andkeep away visitors coming from Vancouver Island.

With files from Natasha Frakes